Chapter Seven: The Stalemate At Loton's Cove

From what Annganne has heard, she believes the ridge the dragon flew over must have been at the southern edge of the Lesser Dulehans, where some orc clans remain. "Old Hilltown" refers to the ruins of a settlement abandoned back when the orcs were more numerous and bolder. The mountain-folk dwelling in the vicinity would be scattered hermits and homesteaders.

The stories Mordred heard told of white dragons breathing ice, cold, and frost, but stories don't always capture the raw elemental power of a thing like a full-grown chromatic dragon.

"We didn't see anything with it...nothing unusual as we approached the valley, not that I recall," Obram says in response to Mordred's question. To Domarc, he explains that some of the survivors were afraid to return to Solyhill and wanted to hide, others wanted to look for a closer settlement for aid and shelter, and a few even insisted that their mandate to press on to their destination was still in effect.

Lieutenant Horii fills in some additional information. One soldier fled on foot alone and arrived back at Solyhill many hours before Corporal Obram's party, and another pair returned the following day. Ultimately, only Obram and the soldier he dragged back on his shield were allowed to remain at Solyhill, due to the extent of their injuries. The others were taken back to Hazard soon after the first investigators arrived.

The lieutenant rocks on his heels a bit as he regards Mordred, then nods and quietly ushers him into the hallway, where Felor has already migrated to chat up the two nurses.

"I will take you to see him. Just us two -- let's not overwhelm him." He turns to the head nurse, interrupting Felor's conversation. "We're going to pay a brief visit to Corporal Ganis."

She nods, and when the lieutenant looks away, resumes telling Felor about the poultices they use to prevent infection.

"This way, please," the lieutenant says, gesturing for Mordred to follow him down the hall.

Any other questions for Corporal Obram?

Mordred, you going with the lieutenant?

Obram hesitates as his eye searches for the lieutenant, now standing in the doorway talking to Mordred, before he answers. "Lieutenant Jarjera told us there'd been an attack on Hazard with noble lives lost and hostages taken. Our mission was to lay siege to an old orc fastness where the organizers of the attack were hiding, take them dead or alive, and rescue any hostages we could find. Our mobilization was rushed and we were told to keep the details of the mission secret. I guess it's safe to say it's not a secret anymore." He manages a half-smile; the right side of his face seems partly paralyzed.

Well played, nubs. This chapter has been pretty poignant, and something you don't often see in your usual murderhobo simulators. Hat tip to PBO, as usual.

"I couldn't," Obram says, refusing the gold. He looks over at the two nurses standing by the door. "The Virgins need it more than I do. I'm sure they've used up well more than ten gold pieces worth of medicine and bandages on me."

~meanwhile~

Halfway up the stairs to the next floor, Lieutenant Horii stops and turns to Mordred.

"Come clean with me, devilkin," he says quietly. "Whether you came by that signet honestly or not, you're not here on any official business, and the last thing Solyhill needs is more off-the-books nonsense. No need to disturb Corporal Ganis for the sake of appearances. You came here looking for Moag." A slow smile creeps across his lips. "You were sent here to kill him, weren't you?"